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I find the comment about using lunars interesting.
On one of Cooks voyages he took a copy of Harrison's chronometer with him
(was this the same voyage as they are reenacting on the BBC ?).
In the book "From Satellites to Sails" by J.E.D. Williams, Oxford
University Press 1994. Page 102 with note reference to  page 106, referring
to Harrison's chronometer no. 4
"...There was not the remotest possibility that a copy of No. 4 could be
put aboard every ship. The Board had to pay the enormous sum of 450 pounds
to Larcum Kendall to make an exact copy (ref. 21) of No. 4."

Ref. 21: This was the instrument that gave Captain James Cook such
excellent results. On the conclusion of his second voyage of exploration,
Cook wrote in the log that on making land about Plymouth on 29 July 1775,
the error in longitude by Kendal's watch was only 7' 45". how Cook sights
with such accuracy he does not say; but there is the entry in his own hand.
While commanding Endeavour five years earlier Cook had remarked 'an
observation (of longitude) to within 30' of accuracy sufficient for all
nautical purposes'.

I note the slight difference in the spelling of Kendall in the text and the
reference - only 1 "L" in the reference.

My copy of "The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest
Scientific Problem of His Time -- Dava Sobel;"  is in London (I'm in
Venezuela), I am sure that some of our readers have this book; it would be
interesting to cross check and see if  there is any reference to Captain
Cook in this book.

Aubrey.
=============================
At 19:03 10/07/01, you wrote:
> > In regards to the History Channel's recreation of Capt. Cook's Endeavor
> > voyage ...  Anybody know if that producer found a Navigator?
>
>I spoke to a producer at the BCC this morning.  They haven't chosen a
>navigator yet.  They're talking to several people.  They're looking at
>taking a team of three people:  one to do the math, one to work the
>sextant, and one with knowledge of the antique instruments that will be
>used.
>
>Cook had one sextant, a couple of quadrants and I forget what else.  No
>chronometer.  This means that they'll be using the Lunar Distance method
>while at sea.  They're having trouble getting the navigation tables
>worked up, but are confident the tables will be ready in time for the
>trip.  I get the impression they're being as authentic as possible, which
>means the tables they'll use will be patterned after the ones Cook used.
>
>That's all I have for now.
>
>         -ed falk

=================================================================
Aubrey O'Callaghan
Wandrin' Star of Dart
Rival 38

Contact: Venezuela,
Puerto La Cruz
00-58-14-8205350 (Cellular)
00-58-281 2818 667

   

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